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Thread: 535, manual tranny and 3.76 and 3.91 rear ends

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1,640

    Default 535, manual tranny and 3.76 and 3.91 rear ends

    I think a few of you guys (JoeS, Robin, Dave R, others?) are running either a 3.76 or a 3.91 rear end. I'm considering upgrading and am trying to decide which one I want.

    I'm leaning towards the 3.76 unit as I think the 3.91 is a bit too short. Likely makes first gear pretty unusable.

    Can I get some comments from you guys who are running the shorter rear ends on what you like / don't like about the ratios? Street vs. Highway, usablity of the gears, other comments...

    thx!

    Jeff
    Bellevue WA
    90 535iM - not much stock remains. 3.7 liters, ported head, cammed, 3.73 diffy, M5 brakes, MAFed, yadda yadda yadda
    86 Porsche 951 - Track Toy

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,839

    Default

    Jeff, what is the current stock gear?
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL
    Posts
    361

    Default

    That's what I've been wondering.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    868

    Default I put a 3.73LS in at the beginning of summer.

    It's a noticeable improvement. I do a lot of highway driving and don't mind it at all. 80mph = ~3500rpm IIRC. Dave Rutkowski has a spreadsheet to calc that stuff, and I volunteer him to give you the rundown in each gear.

    Whatever you do, don't do what Martin did.....he really missed the boat by going with a 3.64

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    indiana
    Posts
    115

    Default 3.73 is not that bad in first gear

    It is definately short of the line, but for cruising the parking lot is just fine.
    One thing for sure..... It will certainly jerk you right out to the hole. I would say that a 3.91 would be useless. I ran with my 4.27 on the manual tranny for about a month. First gear was useless, so since the difference between the gearing is about 9%, i can imagine a 3.91 being close to enjoyable.

    Attached ( i think - is spread sheet for comparing RPM)
    Change the txt extension to XLS, since we can not upload XLS extensions.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by JoeS; 08-23-2004 at 01:11 PM.
    JoeS
    _____________________________________________

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    835

    Default Agreed Scott, yet another bad decision on my part. Let's not learn anything, eh?

    Jeff has driven my car with the 3.64 enough to be afraid of the 3.91 or lower gears. That 3.64 lsd trigger was pulled with the knowledge that it was from a low torque m20 in good condition; it was a good price, and it was replacing an open 3.4. It is too bad there isn't a close ratio gearbox reasonably available for the m30.

    Took the fam on a weekend trip to west WA. The 535 is great on those 2 lane roads. The roll on power in 4th really shines with the maf & that 284 cam. The brake squeal seems to be gone with the Bav Auto brass caliper bushings. The front 850 calipers have Hawk hps pads.



    Quote Originally Posted by Scott H
    blah blah blah...
    Whatever you do, don't do what Martin did.....he really missed the boat by going with a 3.64
    Last edited by Martin in Bellevue; 08-23-2004 at 02:25 PM.
    erased due to slander

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1,640

    Default 3.46 (n/t)

    Quote Originally Posted by 632 Regal
    Jeff, what is the current stock gear?
    Bellevue WA
    90 535iM - not much stock remains. 3.7 liters, ported head, cammed, 3.73 diffy, M5 brakes, MAFed, yadda yadda yadda
    86 Porsche 951 - Track Toy

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    868

    Default sheesh Martin, testy today?

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin in Bellevue
    blah blah blah, brag brag brag.......brake squeal

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    835

    Default It is tough watching friends make the same mistakes that I made years ago.

    I'm just upset because I care.


    Run you bastard, RUN!!!!
    erased due to slander

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Monrovia, CA
    Posts
    23

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin in Bellevue
    The brake squeal seems to be gone with the Bav Auto brass caliper bushings.

    Martin, as an FYI -

    I have those in my Z3 Roadster - be sure that you keep a maintenance schedule on those to keep them lubed. I had a caliper 'stick' because I got a bit too lazy with that, wore down 1 of the pads and scoured a rotor. (driver's side outer, obviously not the side with the sensor). So now I make sure to pull off the wheels, clean the guide pins/bushings and throw some hi-temp anti-sieze in those things every 3 oil changes (about 9500-10k mi).

    They are great, but they are NOT a non-maintainence item.

    Eric

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